The Great Western LEGO Show is coming up...

 

  • The Great Western LEGO Show is coming up...

    Posted by Huw, 17 Sep 2010 15:54. Filed under Events (UK).

    In just over two weeks, the largest LEGO show in the UK will be taking place at the STEAM Museum, Swindon, on the 2nd and 3rd October. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with more displays, more traders (including an official LEGO shop), more presentations, more everything...

    This year, the organisers, which includes Brickset's very own Martin, have set up a website with information about the show and also about the models that'll be there and their builders. Head over to http://www.greatwesternlegoshow.com/ to find out more. Over the next few weeks activity on the site will ramp up so check it often, or subscribe to the RSS feed.

    Myself, Martin, Dr. Sinister and bluemoose  will all be there again. I'm contributing to the train layout in the Caerphilly Hall again so if you come along be sure to drop by and say hello.

    If you have any questions about the show, by all means ask here. Myself or Martin will be able to answer.


    39 comments, latest one posted 32 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:17

Can't go to it, now that is a shame!

Posted by voyanui8768 in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:33

I know it costs to get in the museum but does it cost to get in the lego bit?

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:38

Shame, it's far too far for me (Near Manchester) Why does everything happen down south???

Posted by X117JACK in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:49

I live in Manchester but the parents have said we'll try and get down on the Saturday, so I can't wait :)

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:54

@voyanui8768, no: the museum admission fee includes the LEGO show.

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 16:59

Never been to a LEGO show before, but tempted to check this out. Looks like some interesting stuff will be going on.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 17 Sep 2010 17:08

I'll be there! :) Just like last year! Now, who's going to come there? HQuiff? Zwing? I hope there's a MISB 8880 Super Car to buy...

Posted by tedward in Canada, 17 Sep 2010 17:42

There should be some sort of video linkup between this and BrickCon in Seattle. That would be a fun way to debut a new set simultaneously.

Posted by madaboutlego in Ireland, 17 Sep 2010 17:57

The Madaboutlego team should be there all the way from Ireland so Huw how will we know what you look like? Will you be wearing a red rose?
Cannot wait to see the chariot racing arena looks great.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 18:02

@Alemas, make sure you say hello this year!

@mad, ask any of the exhibitors where I am, they'll all know me :)

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 17 Sep 2010 18:07

@Huw: Ahem... I'm shy... no, make that VERY shy... sorry everyone, but I'm not the sociable type! I just look, see what's there, and that's it! No offense to anyone here, but... I'm... just TOO shy! Discussion closed! Back on-topic!

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 18:17

I'll be there again, really enjoyed it last year. Couldn't see you last year Huw but I'll be sure to say hello this year. Heard any rumours about some kind of White boba giveaway at the show by any chance?

Posted by Superlegos1 in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 18:40

I went in 2009, defiantly worth going! Looking forward to this years

Posted by squiz in United Kingdom, 17 Sep 2010 19:17

Sounds good, i might try and head along. Not too far from southampton. Are there going to be discounts on the lego being sold there? That might swing my decision if i can save a ton on some new sets!

Posted by Cardinal Brick in United Kingdom, 18 Sep 2010 02:39

For the first time in 3 years I don't have to work that day (touch wood) so I'll be there without a doubt

Posted by capnrex in United Kingdom, 18 Sep 2010 08:43

I wish some of the American Lego companies would go (CloneArmyCustoms etc.) but I will still certainly be there. And I failed to say hi to Huw or anyone last year. Awful!!! Must try harder.

Posted by minifigforlife in United Kingdom, 18 Sep 2010 08:48

Minifigforlife will be there. We will have over 2500 unique minifigs on show, plus lots of other Lego for sale. Come and see us up on the balcony of the main hall.

Posted by capnrex in United Kingdom, 18 Sep 2010 08:49

@Minifigforlife - Do you sell rare or custom minifigs?

Posted by Orsie in United Kingdom, 19 Sep 2010 07:59

Hi Huw, I'll be there like I was last year. I hope to see you. I'll say hello if I do. Anyway I'm going there for both days this year so I probably will see you.

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 19 Sep 2010 09:12

@Orsie: http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/miscellaneous/Documents/BrickJournal10-BricksetArticle.pdf Last page, you'll know who to look for! :) ;)

Posted by ensign_dave in United Kingdom, 19 Sep 2010 17:54

You pay to get in to the museum and the lego "show" is free. The price of admission is not worth it as the museum is not good at all. The lego "show" was just 2 rooms last year. My kids were well disapointed. Sorry to sound negative guys but if you found another location where you didn't have to trundle around the most boring museum and pay half the price - it would then be a good day out.

Posted by Orsie in United Kingdom, 20 Sep 2010 02:11

@Alemas thx i now know who i'm looking for.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 20 Sep 2010 04:36

@ensign, I'm sorry you were disappointed. Unfortunately we don't have the resources, corporate sponsorship, or number of AFOLs for that matter, to be able to put on a massive event like, say, LEGO World in Holland.

However it is currently the largest LEGO show in the UK and most visitors have a good day out, and come back year after year.

As for the museum, well, if you don't like trains then maybe you would find it boring but many LEGO fans have a interest in them, or engineering in general, so don't find it so.

Posted by Doctor Sinister in United Kingdom, 20 Sep 2010 12:58

@ ensign_dave - I'm really surprised by your comments. You say the display was limited to "just two rooms" - I'm not sure what your definition of a "room" is, but in fact those two rooms are very large halls. Halls built to house train locomotives! I'm actually wondering whether you made it around the entire show...

And you don't need to linger around the museum, you can stroll straight on through to the LEGO if that's what you want.

I have a comprehensive set of images of last year's show here if anyone wants to see what's in store:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorsinister/sets/72157622372781077/

Dr. S.

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 20 Sep 2010 14:00

Looks great, Dr. S - I especially love the art deco Miami Beach-style diorama, but there are loads of superb creations in your photo stream.

Are the sets on sale generally at RRP, or can we expect special offers ?

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 20 Sep 2010 16:22

@DrDaveWatford - last year there was an official shop selling sets at RRP, although they did have an impressive range including magnets, and an unofficial shop selling more interesting stuff (in my opinion). This included older sets no longer available plus some other nice stuff that you will only normally find on eBay or Bricklink. The prices weren't exactly bargain basement but I'd say they were cheaper than eBay.

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 03:30

Thanks, atkinsar. You'd have thought that LEGO could as least offer a modest discount, such as 10%, to attendees. I like the idea of a trader selling older stuff, though - dangerous ! I'd better leave my credit cards at home....

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 05:51

The LEGO brand store will once again be run by Milton Keynes shop staff and as atkinsar says they will bring a lot of stock. The best choice will be had on the Saturday morning: by Sunday afternoon it will be somewhat depleted.

Mike and Emma of simplybricks (on Bricklink) will also be there with a huge amount of stock. Their prices on the day are usually less than in their Bricklink shop, but of course the more sought-after sets will command a premium.

And, as minifigforlife above has indicated, Andy and Ann will also be there selling minifigs, BrickArms and other assorted stuff.

You won't go home empty handed. There's ample cash machines in the outlet centre next door :)

Don't make the mistake of taking your wife with you and letting her loose in the outlet shops: if she's anything like mine, she'll end up spending more there than you do on LEGO :-)

Posted by DrDaveWatford in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 08:55

Thanks, Huw. Having indulged in the Boots 3 for 2 offer, and also the Argos one (assuming it actually materialises), the timing of this additional potential Great Western spend isn't ideal, but what can you do !? The wife won't be coming, however, so that's one less financial headache to worry about.....

I'll look you up on the Saturday, and if they sell beer there's at least one with your name on it to thank you for all the use I've had out of Brickset !!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 17:22

@Dave, I look forward to it :-)

Posted by ensign_dave in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 17:23

Huw / Doctor Sinister - I feel I owe you both an apology. Looking at Dr. S' photos on flickr has made me realise I must have missed some of the show last year. Will there be any other exclusives this year like last years Admirals' pirate ship (which I must have also missed)?
You've sold me on going again - See you on the Saturday (with my 8, 5 and 3 year olds in tow).
PS - If only there was a bar, I'd buy you both a beer too for all the good this site has done me over the past year.

Posted by Martin in United Kingdom, 21 Sep 2010 19:02

@ensign_dave - You did have me worried at one point, because we never usually get complaints about the amount of models we bring! Signs in the museum, on the other hand, are sometimes missed and I am doing what I can to make sure visitors flow round the museum and see all of the show without having to ask. It now sounds like you completely missed the one hall . Looking forward to seeing you again this year. You should not be disappointed!

As for exclusives, the MK store will be bringing as much stock as they can. This will include any exclusives not normally available on the high street. Basically, if it's on LEGOshop.com, they will do there best to bring some. As Huw has pointed out though, they do sell out of some of the lovely sets quite quickly. The Admirals Ship was revealed last year, but was not on sale (I think it got launched in January this year). There will be another surprise set revealed this year...but I genuinely don't know what it is yet.

Posted by trfislegomad in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 09:07

@ Martin ,Huw - Thank you for the fantastic effort that's going in to want looks like being a fab show. This will be my first time ever and going to bring the wife and youngsters too, so think my credit card will be confiscated!

One thought I have had, is there anyway of creating a map that we could print at home to show the halls and/or items on display to take on the day to make sure we don't miss anything?

Posted by Cardinal Brick in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 10:41

@ Martin do you know what time the surprise set will be revealed, I don't want to miss it by being to early or late!

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 24 Sep 2010 13:57

@Martin: Surprise set? O_O What was it last year? I hope it's an 8880 Super Car this year... Can you buy the surprise set?

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 14:15

In past years the surprise set has been unveiled early on the Saturday morning before visitors arrive and is timed to coincide with an unveiling at BrickCon (I think it is) in the USA.

Last year it was the big pirate ship, the year before the medieval village.

Huw

Posted by Doctor Leg O'Brick in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 15:10

@Dr sinister, rightly said. I'd love to come but i can't, although i have have friends who've been and said it was amazing.

Posted by mokey2345 in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 16:36

I really want to go but how much is it to get into the museum ?

Posted by Martin in United Kingdom, 24 Sep 2010 17:46

@alemas - the surprise set is unveiled prior to the show opening on the Saturday morning and will be displayed to the public all weekend. I now have it...and it's fabulous. I am sworn to secrecy and I am a man of my word, so to see it you will have to come to the show. I suspect it will not hit the shelves until at least Jan 2011, possibly later. You may see some references to us having a 10214 Tower Bridge built at the show. That's *not* the surprise set.

@mokey - admission prices are on the show website:
http://www.greatwesternlegoshow.com/about-show/admission-prices

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